Attention, Harry Potter fans: Do not click this link; Update: Entire book now online?

posted at 10:36 am on July 19, 2007 by Allahpundit

The book’s been embargoed for sale until midnight Saturday morning, but the Times couldn’t wait so they found themselves a dealer willing to break its promise and sell them a copy early. Then they published their review — early. And naturally they included a (very general) spoiler.

They don’t give much away, but they do give some, and J.K. Rowling’s none too pleased. Very stupidly, the AFP’s story about her reaction repeats one of the tidbits from the review so fans are advised to skip that link too and rely on the blockquote here:

In a statement released through British publisher Bloomsbury, Rowling said: “I am staggered that some American newspapers have decided to publish purported spoilers in the form of reviews in complete disregard of the wishes of literally millions of readers, particularly children, who wanted to reach Harry’s final destination by themselves, in their own time.”

The link to the Times review is going to be sitting here all day, Potter fanatics. All day.

You’ll be happy to know, though, that it was indeed a rave.

Exit question: Did the Times act unethically?

Update: I won’t torture the Potterites any further by scrounging up the link, but apparently photos of every page in the book are now online. And using CSI-type “digital DNA” sleuthing, the publishers are determined to find out who’s responsible.

Update: Rowling’s publisher plans to sue Levy Home Entertainment and DeepDiscounts.com for breaking the embargo.

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